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| Not all of us can afford to be front row at the shows (photo taken from stylenews.co.uk) |
The fashion industry is ever-changing. What’s in style one week could be seen as old news come next Monday, and something you wouldn’t have been seen dead in last year may suddenly become your style crush for the next season. It is a world crammed with luxury and filled to the brim with glamour, so naturally sometimes following its demands can come with a hefty price tag. And although this constantly moving world is full of excitement, as a strapped for cash student in my final year at university, it can be hard to keep up with.
Fashion is my number one hobby, and I can’t describe the sense of longing that comes over me when I finally get my hands on Topshop’s new seasonal collections. Walking through my front door, arms crammed with handfuls of shopping bags, is quite sadly the depiction of a day well spent for me. However, although this makes my wardrobe very happy, my bank balance is quite the opposite and my unfortunate addiction to shopping is proving to become a bit of a problem.
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| Photo taken from sheisdallas.com |
Since becoming a student, I have had to master the art of living on a budget. My overdraft is my new best friend and smart price food and own brand beauty products are now regular features in my cupboards.
Surprisingly, this new regime has by no means made me wave goodbye to my shopping addiction. Instead, I now feed it with a variety of cheaper alternatives. I am constantly in search of new ways to update my look whilst keeping my student loan firmly intact, and this is something that any style craving student can master as well, providing they are equipped with the right tricks.
These five tips have become my fashion Bible throughout my time at university, and have enabled me to follow the trends whilst not getting too carried away. By following these simple rules you should be able to incorporate your love for fashion into your student lifestyle.
1. Stray away from your comfort zone
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| Photo taken from canterbury.co.uk |
Although the British high street is a haven for shoppers the world over, it is not necessarily the cheapest option. A store with a good reputation may price their items slightly higher, so you could find yourself splashing out on a stitched in label rather than a good quality product. Try venturing away from the busy high street, it is here that you will stumble across a variety of independent retailers. These are true gems to those who are slaves for style, as not only will they stock more unique pieces, but they will probably be at half the price. So not only will your purchase be individual, but now you will have enough money to buy something else!
2. Master the art of accessorising
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| Photo taken from kathryn-clarke.co.uk |
You have a party coming up, you have your eyes on a new dress but of course, your bank balance just won’t allow it. No need to despair, although that new dress would have looked fabulous, let’s face it you probably already have another once-worn yet perfectly lovely dress already hanging up in your wardrobe. A true fashionista knows that one dress can be transformed into three new dresses if you are prepared to be a little bit creative when accessorising it. A sparkly pair of heels, a patterned waist belt or even a statement necklace can soon become the pivotal part of your outfit, ensuring that that old dress will look as good as new on the dance floor.
3. Brave the sales
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| Photo taken from shopwindowposters.co.uk |
Admittedly, heading to town in the middle of the January sales is most people’s idea of hell. The lack of parking spaces, bustling crowds and unnecessary elbow shoving make the experience almost unbearable, and to many the shops become no-go territory until the sales are well and truly over. However, if you hit the sales with the right mind-set, I can guarantee that you will soon be pencilling in the start dates into your diary. Before going, it is important that you have an ideal buy in your mind; only hit the sales if there is something you genuinely need. If you don’t do this you will probably end up with a whole lot of rubbish you don’t even like, and a nasty bank statement to go with it. Going with the intention of only buying that one thing will not only land you with that handy addition to your wardrobe, but also reward you with the satisfaction that you have found a real bargain.
4. Splash your cash in the right places
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| Picture taken from schuh.co.uk |
Yes, that pair of heels you saw in that magazine would look spectacular, but let’s be realistic spending fifty pounds on a pair of stiletto’s you can barely walk in is a recipe for disaster. You’ll end up only wearing them once, therefore you’ll be wasting your money and be left with a nasty blister to remind you of this fact. Although it is tempting to spend your pay check on pretty things, sometimes it is more practical to use those funds to purchase something more wearable. Paying that little bit more for a good quality pair of jeans for example, will ensure that your money will go a bit further. You’ll wear them all the time and they go with everything…perfect! True, it’s not the most interesting buy but at least you’ll have a permanent fixture for your wardrobe.
5. Customising is key
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| Photo taken from ourvintagestyle.co.uk |
I’m not suggesting you become an expert in sewing, but learning simple ways to tweak your old clothes is a brilliant way to stay on trend without having to spend a penny. For example, that old worn down pair of jeans you’ve had screwed up at the back of your wardrobe, you’ll never wear them again, but instead of throwing them out cut them into shorts. Denim shorts will never go out of style, and are a summer must-have to bonus, so customising a pair of your own will save you some money when the sun starts to show its face again. The trick is not to be scared to be creative, old pieces can almost always be transformed into something brand new and therefore keep your unnecessary spending to a minimum.
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